UFC's Paddy Pimblett Reveals His Weight Cut Diet and How He Handles the Haters
Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett will be stepping into the UFC octagon for fight night 304 in Manchester this weekend, to face off against Bobby Green. The lightweight contender from Merseyside last fought in December against Tony Ferguson, which ended with Pimblett's hand raised. Never one to shy away from being open and honest, ahead of the fight, Pimblett has shared his recent mental health struggles.
During the interview, Pimblett revealed that his coach nearly withdrew him from the competition due to his struggles with depression. Pimblett said 'I need to share this, because other people don't'. Despite his admission, he was met with a slew of abuse online. He captioned on his Instagram, 'No wonder men don't speak up, I put my feelings out there and tell men it’s okay to talk,' and referring to the hateful messages, 'We need to change this mindset.'
This isn't the first time Pimblett has received online abuse. In January he experienced a slew of fat shaming comments in regard to off season weight gain, with UFC hall of famer Michael Bisping coming to his defence.
Men's Health had the chance to hear from Pimblett himself about how he handles the hate he receives, his experience of becoming a father, and of course, his favourite post-fight meals.
'I just don't give a fuck,' says Pimblett when asked about the responses to his weight fluctuations, 'Ever since I was like 16, 17, people have been talking shit about me on the internet. Literally, I put a post on the Cage Warriors forum when I was 16 and I've had people hating on me since then, talking about me. It's only gotten more active and worse over the years. So I'm used to it, It’s just water off a duck's back.'
Pimblett has always shared his love for food, not paying much attention to the critics, as he seems to always flawlessly hit pre-fight weigh-ins with elite level precision before continuing his winning streak. And the secret? Apparently strict calorie control during weight cuts.
'Currently I'm eating around 2, 000 calories a day,' explains Pimblett, 'It's not too bad. Two, three weeks ago I was eating 2,500 calories a day, but at the minute it's like 2,000. The next week when we get to weight cut week, it'll probably drop again to about 1,500.'
'I'd rather be eating fucking burgers and chips, Thai food and Chinese food but it's one of them,' Pimblett admits.
Paddy Pimblett's Weight Cut Diet
To make up that 2,000 calorie daily allowance, he eats a (more nutritious) variation of:
50 grams of nuts and a shake in the morning
Chicken, rice or wholemeal pasta and broccoli
Beef wraps
Cottage pies and veg
No bun Wagyu burger with sweet potato fries or mash
'After a fight, my go to is just eating loads of food. That's all,' says Pimblett. But when asked about which is his favourite post fight meal, he couldn't quite give a straight answer: 'As I said, I love my burgers, but I love Thai food. I love Chinese food. I love Italian food. I love full English breakfasts. I couldn't pick one thing. I always get asked stuff like this and I couldn't pick one thing, because I love dessert as well. Cookie dough pies and cheesecakes. I love it.'
Pimblett became a father to twins in April of this year. He was quick to share that his wife plays a large part in supporting his training efforts, 'I can't get over how unbelievable she is with two kids, and crying babies,' says Pimblett. 'The other day she went to the co-op for 10 minutes and I had to just hold both of them screaming in my arms. I'm just like, how does she do this?'
The sleepless nights have had little effect on him showing up to the gym however says Pimblett. '9 times out of 10 I can roll over and go back to sleep,' he shares, 'But normally when I'm in bed for about eight, or nine hours, I'll get about six hours sleep where the babies cry every now and then, but I get on with it. I can't not go to the gym because I'm a bit tired. I still go to the gym every morning.'
Interview courtesy of Ace Odds
You Might Also Like
